New opposition grouping planned for Fiji

Two former stalwarts of Fiji’s main opposition party are in the throes of setting up a new party to fight the next election.

Youth activist Peter Waqavonovono and a former opposition leader Mick Beddoes say they’re planning a new political entity which will be youth driven.
Mick Beddoes.

In a statement they said a draft constitution had been completed and talks with various groups were taking place.

They say its purpose is to help form a grand opposition coalition before the 2018 polls.

The men resigned in June from Sodelpa following the appointment of the former coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka as party leader.

Electoral rules require parties to have signed up at least 5,000 members across Fiji and impose hefty fines and imprisonment on those holding themselves out as a political party without first being registered.